Can I have employees in a home business?

Not under the statewide rule — it allows one person working on the premises at a time. More workers push it back to your scheme's own table of assessment, where the limit varies by council.

Do I need any other licences?

Possibly. Planning approval is separate from food licences, health rules, professional licences and insurance. If you're preparing or selling food, contact your council's environmental health team.

Do I need council approval to run a business from home in Queensland?

Short answer

Accepted if you meet the requirements. A home-based business is accepted development across Queensland when no more than one person works on the premises at a time, no more than one visitor attends at a time, and it meets the criteria in your council's scheme. Bigger operations — staff, customers, deliveries — are decided by the scheme.

Check your own property

Add the address, or choose your council, to see the answer for your zone. Different project?

1. Where is the property? (optional — it makes the answer specific)

I don't know my zone — choose my council instead

Council Zone

The zone is on your rates notice, or a Landbrief site report will find it for you.

The Queensland position

A home-based business is accepted development across Queensland if no more than 1 person works on the premises at a time, no more than 1 visitor attends at a time, and it meets the criteria in your council's planning scheme. Otherwise the scheme decides — often code assessment.

What usually happens: no application for a quiet one-person business; a development application once it grows.

Planning Regulation 2017, Schedule 6, Part 2, section 7AA — home-based business

By council

These councils' own tables of assessment, read zone by zone:

Common questions

Do I need council approval to run a business from home in Queensland?: Often not. A home-based business is accepted development if no more than one person works on the premises at a time, no more than one visitor attends at a time, and it meets the criteria in your council's scheme (Planning Regulation 2017, Schedule 6, section 7AA). Otherwise the scheme decides, and it is often code assessable.
Can I have employees in a home business?: Not under the statewide rule — it allows one person working on the premises at a time. More workers push it back to your scheme's own table of assessment, where the limit varies by council.
Do I need any other licences?: Possibly. Planning approval is separate from food licences, health rules, professional licences and insurance. If you're preparing or selling food, contact your council's environmental health team.

Other projects

Granny flat Dual occupancy Subdivide Shed or carport Extension Pool Fence or wall Townhouses Shop, café or office Clear trees Demolish

General information, not advice. The council's planning scheme and the Planning Act 2016 decide — confirm with the council or a town planner before you build.